Linux on Acer TravelMate 3012WTMi

Talyz · 04-14-2006, 04:37 PM

I think I'll buy this computer, but I would want to know if the power functions like sleep, etc works first.

Thanks,
Talyz

Talyz · 05-16-2006, 02:44 PM

I this computer a week ago and run Ubuntu Dapper Beta on it. I have had loads of problems with getting it working; ACPI not working, sound not working (never has worked with any distro...), WLAN not possible to turn on while running Linux, card reader not working and webcam not working...

How did these things work for you?

Zmyrgel · 05-16-2006, 03:33 PM

I have Acer Travelmate 4202WLMi and I installed Gentoo on it. ACPI and sounds worked perfectly. Wireless LAN was untested as I don't have wireless router and PCMCIA had problems but I didn't delve into it as I don't have anything to put in there, yet. Everything worked as they should basicly until lightning caused power surge and broke my 4 day old laptop

Just my luck...

Anyway, I'd recommend using Gentoo on it if you can wait the compiling times

trident · 07-08-2006, 12:26 PM

I am not sure if anyone is still interested in this topic; if you are, you may want to check this page:

Fedora Core 5 on a Acer Travelmate 3012 WTMi

I found it on linux-on-laptops.com. You can also check their Acer page if you are interested in other models:

http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/acer.html

I am also interested in buying a 3012wtmi one and I would install Suse10 on it. It's not yet clear to me if buying this machine is a good choice or not.

Talyz · 07-09-2006, 02:46 AM

Trident: That's a good site; I've had contact with the author and it seems he has contributed a bug report to the ALSA project regarding the only big problem in hardware compatibility still in existence with this computer; sound.

Also, you might need using another distro, such as Fedora or Ubuntu, since SUSE 10.1 gets a kernel panic while trying to boot

. (This is due to SUSE not being able to recognise the firewire CD-ROM drive correctly.)

Talyz

gringer · 09-24-2006, 04:48 AM

I've recently (start of September, 2006) purchased an Acer 3012WTMi, and have written up a bit of a log indicating what I have done to get things working. I've managed to get everything working except for the webcam (and possibly the modem). I tried submitting it to linux-on-laptops, but perhaps it was too early in the piece when I submitted.

http://user.interface.org.nz/~gringe..._3012wtmi.html

I'm still hunting around for webcam support

davidcrunkmd · 09-26-2006, 12:24 PM

i have Acer Aspire 3003lci and have had tremendous problems getting my stock internal wifi card working, i cant get ndiswrapper to work. i am very new too linux and have have spent the last 3 months researching the forums and trying different distro's.... i dont want to give up on LINUX but i have a notebook and i need my wifi. anyone that can help me get rid OF Windows once and for all would be a God send. if anyone has the time too help pls email me

gringer · 09-26-2006, 05:29 PM

The 3003LCi is a different beast from the 3012WTMi, and based on my observation of other people getting other Acer laptops working with Linux, is likely to be a bit more tricky to set up (The Intel chipsets in the 3012WTMi help *lots* with regards to Linux support). I'd recommend having a look at other Acer threads, which may be a bit more informative. Anyway, here are some things that may help you out:

There's Broadcom BCM43xx wireless support in recent (2.6.17+) kernels (Device Drivers -> Network Device Support -> Wireless LAN -> (*) Wireless LAN Drivers -> Broadcom BCM43xx wireless support)
Most compiled wireless drivers also need firmware, which will need to be downloaded as well
A number of Acer laptops have buggy DSDT, and this may need to be patched before certain things (such as the wireless button) will work
It may also be necessary to install acer_acpi as well (I have seen one laptop where this was needed before the wireless would work with ndiswrapper)
Linux drivers for the video cards may need to be downloaded from the manufacturers website